Tesla Model S/X enters discontinuation countdown, removed from the recommended purchase plan in the US market

Tesla’s latest move shows that the Model S and Model X are being phased out of the company’s product lineup. Earlier this quarter, Tesla confirmed that these two flagship models would be officially discontinued.

Tesla has been gradually eliminating the Model S and Model X through various means, recently announcing that one of the paint colors for these models in the U.S. market has sold out. Now, the company has taken further action, clearly indicating that it is steadily and cautiously ending production of these two models.

The latest key step in Tesla’s discontinuation of its flagship sedans and SUVs is quietly removing the Model S and Model X from the recommended vehicle purchase plans in the U.S. this week.

This adjustment cancels the previous $1,000 referral discount available to new car buyers (Note: at current exchange rates, approximately 6,914 RMB). Existing Tesla owners purchasing a Model S or Model X will see their loyalty discount halved from $1,000 to $500 (approximately 3,457 RMB at current rates).

The scope of this change extends beyond these two flagship models: new buyers using referral codes to purchase the high-performance all-wheel-drive or Cyberbeast versions of Cybertruck will no longer receive the $1,000 discount. Both referrers and buyers will now only get a three-month FSD (Full Self-Driving) trial (subject to supervision).

In addition to the new dual-motor all-wheel-drive version, the loyalty discount for Cybertruck has also been reduced to $500.

These adjustments are limited to the U.S. market and reflect Tesla’s broader strategy of optimizing profit margins while promoting the adoption of autonomous driving software.

The timing of this move is no coincidence. Tesla has already confirmed that the Model S and Model X will cease production in Q2 2026 (roughly June), with factory capacity shifting toward the humanoid robot Optimus and the next-generation vehicle lineup.

These two low-volume flagship models have seen their annual sales decline steadily (only 53,900 units sold in 2025), and no longer rely on subsidies to stimulate demand. As production capacity gradually decreases, Tesla believes that even without subsidies, there will still be sufficient market demand.

Industry analysts see this as the clearest signal that these two models, which once defined Tesla’s luxury segment, are entering the “end of their product lifecycle.” On the X platform, reactions are mixed: some fans are saying “tribute to S and X,” while some longtime owners are dissatisfied, feeling that benefits are being cut just as the models are about to be discontinued. Some consumers are rushing to place orders, hoping to lock in the last benefits before the discounts are fully removed.

For Tesla, this move prioritizes efficiency: reducing discounts on discontinued models, heavily promoting FSD subscription services, and focusing on high-margin versions of the Cybertruck amid a surge in orders.

Loyal customers still have a brief window to purchase the updated tri-motor high-performance or long-range versions under remaining subsidies, but the message is clear: Tesla’s product lineup is evolving, and the era of the first-generation flagship models is coming to an end.